Verse 1

CONTENTS

This Chapter relates to us the commands of God to Moses in the Mount, for the service of the sanctuary in the wilderness. The people are to present their offerings. The plan of the building of the tabernacle, the whole of which is to be formed according to the pattern showed him in the mount.

Verse 1-2

Observe, though the Lord is the proprietor of all the earth, and the silver is his, and the gold his, yet he condescends to accept the gifts of his people, as tokens of favour. 2 Corinthians 9:7.

Verses 3-7

Perhaps the things here particularized, beside their first use, had a spiritual allusion. See Revelation 3:18.

Verse 8

Was not this a type of the Lord Jesus, tabernacling in our flesh? Hebrews 8:2; Revelation 21:3. And doth it not convey also that precious doctrine of the indwelling residence of the Holy Ghost? 2 Corinthians 6:16.

Verse 9

Who shall take upon him to say to what extent Moses was informed of the great scheme of grace? Read that scripture, Hebrews 8:5, and let the Reader determine this interesting matter for himself. It should seem that the whole tabernacle service had a spiritual signification, with all the materials belonging to it. Hebrews 10:1; Colossians 2:16-17.

Verse 10

The ark was the grand part of all the sacred furniture. If we suppose the Jewish cubit was 21 inches, then it will follow that the ark itself was about 52 inches long, and about 30 in breadth and depth.

Verse 11-12

If (as there seems to be no doubt) this ark was a type of the Lord Jesus, then those rings for the carrying of it from place to place, might be expressive of the presence of Jesus being always with his people. 1 Kings 8:22-30.

Verses 13-16

Observe, the gospel of Christ is distinguished by this name of a testimony, or witness. Matthew 24:14; Acts 7:44. And in the temple above, the Ark of the Testimony, or Testament, was seen by John, Revelation 11:19.

Verse 17

The mercy-seat hath been always considered as among the dearest types of Christ, Romans 3:25; 1 John 2:2. Hence Paul's advice, Hebrews 4:16.

Verses 18-20

Perhaps these Cherubims were designed to represent Angels, as prying into the precious mysteries of redemption 1 Peter 1:12; Hebrews 1:14. Some have thought that the Cherubims mean to represent ministers of the gospel adoring the Lord, and attending on his service.

Verse 21-22

Sweet promise! and evidently referring to gospel days. John 14:16-23.

Verses 23-30

The table and the show-bread were both types of the gospel dispensation. God our Father hath there spread a full table for his people, Revelation 3:20; 1 John 1:3. Jesus is the bread of life spread on this table. Revelation 2:17; John 6:48-58.

Verses 31-40

All this furniture, so splendid and magnificent as it was, had no doubt a spiritual signification; but, as the apostle observes of these things, we cannot now speak particularly. Hebrews 9:5. The tabernacle itself had no windows; perhaps to denote the darkness of the law dispensation: or rather, if we consider the glory of God in the most holy, it was a type of the tabernacle which is in heaven. Revelation 21:21-23; Isaiah 60:19-20. And it is probable, I think, that the candlesticks were meant to represent the illumination of the Holy Ghost in the soul. 2 Corinthians 4:6. Compare Zechariah 4:2-3 with Revelation 4:5. Observe the precept is again repeated of Moses taking heed to be very particular in forming the whole construction after the pattern given him. In the Old Testament and in the New, this injunction never varies. Deuteronomy 5:32; Revelation 22:18-19.

Verse 40

REFLECTIONS

GRACIOUS God! help me by thy divine teachings, to behold the wondrous things of thy law, and to admire and adore thy gracious condescension in the appointment of the sanctuary, and the tabernacle, and the mercy, seat, and the ark of the testimony, and the table, and the show-bread. Precious Jesus! may it be my happiness, like Paul, while beholding these shadows of the good things that were then to come, to see that the substance and the body is Christ. Do angels desire to look into those mysteries of the kingdom? Lord, make me earnest to know more and more of thee, and of that love of God which passeth knowledge, that I may be filled with all the fullness of God. And oh! do thou come and frequently commune with me from off thy mercy-seat! There do thou meet me, and speak comfortably to me. Let Jesus be everything to me, the mercy-seat of propitiation, the ark of the divine presence to bless me, the table and bread of life to feast my soul, at which I may sit down here below in sweet communion, until I come to sit down with him forever at the table which is above. Be this my portion, dearest Lord, that I may be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thine house, and drink of the river of thy pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life.